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To: Non-Sequitur
The confederate states initiated an armed rebellion against the United States when they fired on the U.S. fort at Sumter. They started a bloody and costly war that eventually ended in their own self-destruction. The fact that you might have believed that the confederacy had not interest in conquest is meaningless, I doubt that the Japanese or the Germans seriously contemplated conquering the U.S. in World War II. But they started the hostilities in every bit the same way that the south did 80 years earlier.

With all due respect, neither the Germans nor the Japanese held title to any significant holdings of land in the United States. South Carolina, on the other hand, did hold the original title to every acre of land within its borders, as granted to it by the Northwest Ordinance. Furthermore, none of the rivers in South Carolina provided any maritime access to any other states in the Union (which had not as of yet seceeded). Are you sure that South Carolina was not justified in trying to reclaim land that it already owned? (Particularly with the pending threat of additional troops being sent to said land?)

186 posted on 02/05/2006 5:21:15 PM PST by detsaoT (Proudly not "dumb as a journalist.")
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To: detsaoT
South Carolina, on the other hand, did hold the original title to every acre of land within its borders, as granted to it by the Northwest Ordinance.

Overlooking for a moment the fact that from the viewpoint of the administration Sumter was a U.S. fort in a U.S. city in a U.S. state, neither South Carolina or any other state holds title over federal property. Sumter was built on property deeded to the United States free and clear by an act of the South Carolina legislature. By transferring ownership the South Carolina government gave up all control over the property because Constitutionally on Congress can exercise authority over federal facilities. And that includes disposing of them.

Are you sure that South Carolina was not justified in trying to reclaim land that it already owned?

I can't speak for the people of South Carolina and what they saw as justification. I can only say that South Carolina had no legal claim to Sumter, and their act of firing on it was an act of armed rebellion against the central government. And they paid the price for their decision.

196 posted on 02/06/2006 3:54:09 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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